Harvard University initiated legal action against the Trump administration on Monday, challenging its attempts to withhold over $3 billion in federal funding and to impose increased government oversight on the institution. Alan Garber, Harvard’s president, issued a statement asserting that the government’s extensive demands would enforce unprecedented control over the university, with significant consequences for its community and the status of American higher education globally.
He emphasized that universities can uphold their legal duties and their societal roles without undue government interference. The administration accuses Harvard of inadequately addressing antisemitism on campus, following its recent freezing of $2.2 billion in federal funds. Additionally, future grants amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars to Harvard and four other prestigious U.S. universities are under threat.
An email disclosed to the journal Nature revealed a National Institutes of Health official instructing colleagues to withhold awards to Harvard, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, and Northwestern universities without providing reasons for the cuts. Last year, these institutions received $1.7 billion in grants. The Trump administration further threatened to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status after the university declined demands for strict government oversight of its academic freedom.
In related developments, documents obtained by The College Fix indicated that the Office of Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requested Harvard’s findings regarding antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias, along with reports on anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian bias.
Since March, seven universities have faced government funding cuts. Cornell University’s president, Michael Kotlikoff, stated in an email that there had been no official communication regarding a purported $1 billion funding freeze, although Cornell researchers received numerous “stop work” orders. Kotlikoff noted that the university was vigorously responding with legal and strategic measures to counteract these actions.
Recently, the government intensified arrests of pro-Palestinian student demonstrators nationwide and withdrew numerous visas from international students. Last week, it demanded detailed records from Harvard on foreign student activities under threat of losing eligibility to receive international students. Harvard responded, asserting its commitment to constitutional rights and its refusal to sacrifice independence.
The university formed committees to investigate antisemitism and released preliminary recommendations. Garber mentioned that a report on Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian bias would soon be published. The Wall Street Journal reported government displeasure with Harvard’s decision to release a letter concerning the matter, with plans for further funding freezes totaling $1 billion.
The contrast between Harvard’s resistance to the government’s demands and Columbia University’s compliance, which involved governance and discipline changes, has stimulated increased alumni donations, as reported by the Crimson newspaper. Faculty and students at other universities have demanded coordinated efforts against the administration’s actions toward higher education institutions.
Acting Columbia president Claire Shipman stated the university seeks constructive dialogue with the government while maintaining its independence. Harvard, with a $53 billion endowment, is better positioned than many institutions to endure government funding cuts. Alongside others, it has accessed bond markets for short-term liquidity and implemented job and cost-cutting measures to mitigate immediate funding challenges and potential legal disputes.
